Method of erecting tower-like structure

ABSTRACT

A method of works for erecting tower-like structures, characterized by the steps of assembling a tower-like structure as laid on the ground, coupling the lower end thereof onto the foundation with a horizontal pivotal shaft, pivotably mounting one ends of movable beams at an interval along an axis which is parallel to said pivotal shaft onto the ground, or onto a support structure or a side of said tower-like structure apart from said pivotal shaft, providing jack means on said movable beams so that said jack means may operate in their lengthwise direction and may move along said movable beams in their lengthwise direction while alternately engaging either end thereof fixedly with the movable beam, coupling one operating end of said jack means respectively onto a side of said tower-like structure or onto the ground or a support structure with a pivotal shaft which is parallel to said first pivotal shaft, and driving said jack means to erect said tower-like structure about said first pivotal shaft while either pushing or drawing.

United States Patent I [1 1 Koga et a1.

[54] METHOD OF ERECTING TOWER-LIKE UNITED STATES PATENTS 837,912 12/1906 Brown .52/745 2,056,744 10/1936 Smith ....52/1 16 2,429,009 10/1947 Woolslayer et a1. ....52/1 16 X 2,683,584 7/1954 Selberg .1 ....52/1 16 X 3,504,464 4/1970 Bair et a1. ..52/745 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS France ..52/745 Feb. 13,1973

Primary ExaminerCharlie T. Moon Attorney-Cushman, Darby & Cushman [57] ABSTRACT A method of works for erecting tower-like structures, characterized by the steps of assembling a tower-like structure as laid on the ground, coupling the lower end thereof onto the foundation with a horizontal pivotal shaft, pivotably mounting one ends of movable beams at an interval along an axis which is parallel to said pivotal shaft onto the ground, or onto a support structure or a side of said tower-like structure apart from said pivotal shaft, providing jack means on said movable beams so that said jack means may operate in their lengthwise direction and may move along said movable beams in their lengthwise direction while alternately engaging either end thereof fixedly with the movable beam, coupling one operating end of said jack means respectively onto a side of said tower-like structure or onto the ground or a support structure with a pivotal shaft which is parallel to said first pivotal shaft, and driving said jack means to erect said tower-like structure about said first pivotal shaft while either pushing or drawing.

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INVENTOIS ATTORNEYS METHOD OF ERECTING TOW ER-LIKE STRUCTURE The present invention relates to a method of works for erecting tower-like structures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore, upon construction of tower-like structures which are relatively low in height or light in weight, a method has been employed in which after the tower-like structure has been assembled as laid on the ground it is erected by drawing with wire ropes. However, it involves a large danger and is difficult from a technical point of view to erect tower-like structures which are tall in height and heavy in weight according to this method. More particularly, in case that it is intended to draw up one end of a tower-like structure with wire ropes about the other end thereof serving as a pivotal base point to erect said tower-like structure, if the height of the tower-like structure is large, then the angle between the tower-like structure and the erecting wire ropes becomes acute, and so, an extremely large tractive force is required for the erection of the towerlike structure. In addition, if the weight of the towerlike structure is large, the tension applied to the wire ropes becomes extremely large. In order to make the initial drawing angle between the wire ropes and the tower-like structure large, it is necessary to provide a rigid and large support structure which can maintain the base point of the wire ropes at a higher position. Furthermore, during the period of the erection, when the center of gravity of the tower-like structure has gone over the pivotal base point, the erecting wire ropes become not applied with a tractive force, and simultaneously therewith the tower-like structure applies an impulsive load onto the foundation about the pivotal base point. It has been known that normally in such a case, equal guy ropes are provided on the opposite side to the erecting wire ropes to carry out the erection under the balanced condition between the erecting wire ropes and the guy ropes. However, it is extremely dangerous to receive the impulsive load with a tension of wires, and also it is a very difficult technical problem to achieve a balanced operation so as not to generate an impulsive force at the foundation and in the erecting wire ropes or the guy ropes. Therefore, upon construction of tower-like structures which are tall in height and also heavy in weight, it is a common practice to construct them through the method consisting of the steps of at first fixedly mounting the lower structure portion on the foundation, and then successively piling up the higher structure portions thereon, without relying upon the aforementioned method for erection.

However, according to such a pile-up method, the machines and materials for assembling and mounting are gradually moved upwardly to successively transfer the working place upwardly, so that said method has a disadvantage that it is apt to cause a danger of working at a hight place and defects in works accompanied therewith, and also the term of works is prolonged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed for the purpose of eliminating the aforementioned disadvantages in the prior art.

Therefore, one of the principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of works which enables one to readily erect tower-like structures even having a heavy weight.

Another principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of works which enables one to carry out erection works of tower-like structures always under a stable condition and to achieve the operations in a reliable manner.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of works which enables one to carry out the works safety and smoothly without giving impacts to the members used for erection during the works for erection of tower-like structures.

Yet another principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of works which enables one to obviate carrying out tower construction high up from ground level and to carry out the erection safely upon erecting tower-like structures.

In order to achieve the aforementioned various objects, the present invention provides a method of works in which a tower-like structure is assembled as laid on the ground, the lower end thereof is coupled to a horizontal pivotal shaft, and said tower-like structure is erected on the foundation about said pivotal shaft; characterized by the steps of pivotably mounting one end of each of a plurality of movable beams, at an interval along an axis which is parallel to said pivotal shaft, onto the ground or onto a support structure on the ground apart from said pivotal shaft, providing jack means on said movable beams so that said jack means may operate in their lengthwise direction while alternately engaging either end thereof fixedly with the movable beam, coupling one operating end of each said jack means onto a side of said tower-like structure with a pivotal shaft which is parallel to said first pivotal shaft, or on the contrary, coupling said one operating end of each said jack means onto the support structure on the ground apart from said first pivotal shaft with a pivotal shaft which is parallel to said first pivotal shaft, while pivotably mounting said movable beams at an interval along anaxis which is parallel to said first pivotal shaft onto the side of said tower-like structure, and concurrently driving said jack means to erect said tower-like structure about said first pivotal shaft while either pushing or drawing.

As the jack means, preferably, a double-acting cylinder is employed, either one of its piston side and cylinder side being pivotably coupled to the tower-like structure or to the support structure on the ground along an axis which is parallel to said first pivotal shaft. At the respective ends of the piston side and the cylinder there side are provided means fixedly engagable with the movable beam with hydraulic or electromechanical means in accordance with a remote control. On the other hand, one end of the long movable beam is coupled onto the ground or onto a support structure on the ground, or on the contrary onto the tower-like structure with a pivotal shaft which is parallel to said first pivotal shaft, and the double-acting cylinder is associated with the movable beam in such relation that said cylinder may operate only in the beam and the tower-like structure or the support structure, is provided, if necessary, together with one further set of similar construction, so as to form linkage means operable in a plane just perpendicular to the pivotal shaft. The jack means is caused to move along the movable beam by stretching and contracting the double-acting hydraulic cylinder while receiving the load of the tower-like structure, and by alternately engaging the coupling means at its respective ends with the movable beam, whereby the tower-like structure may be erected on the foundation about the pivotal shaft while either pushing or drawing. The weight of the tower-like structure is transmitted to the ground or to the support structure through the movable beam and the jack means as their axial force. Accordingly, owing to the sufficient driving force of the jack means to push up or draw up the weight of the tower-like structure, it becomes possible that said tower-like structure is erected safely without resulting in a large impulsive force while supported by the movable beam and the jack means, even if the direction of the load changes from compression to tension due to the movement of the center of gravity of the tower-like structure. In other words, by giving the driving force for erecting the tower-like structure by means of the jack, and by imposing the stroke required for the erection by the intermediary of the movable beam having one end made free, even a tower-like structure, which is tall in height and also heavy in weight, may be constructed by assembling it as laid on the ground and thereafter erecting it safely and in a short period of time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are front views showing the successive steps according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view of the structure in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the details of a movable beam and jack means,

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-section view taken along line lV-IV in FIG. 3,

FIGS. 5A, 5B and SC are front views showing the successive steps according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view of the structure in FIG. 5,

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are front views showing the successive steps according to a third embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged view of the structure in FIG. 7,

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D and 9E are front views showing the successive steps according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged view of the structure in FIG. 9,

FIG. 1 l is a front view showing the state where a fifth embodiment of the present invention is practiced,

FIGS. 12A and 12B are front views showing the successive steps according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 13 is a partial enlarged view of the structure in FIG. 12,

FIG. 14 is a front view showing the state where a seventh embodiment of the present invention is practiced,

FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C are front views showing the successive steps according to a eighth embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 16 is a front view showing the state where the present invention is practiced as applied to the erection of an iron tower type of stack, and

FIG. 17 is a front view showing the state where the present invention is practiced as applied to the erection of a multi-leg type of stack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Now the present invention will be described in more detail in connection to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings as applied to erection of iron towers, in the followings. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the subject method of works, with respect to its successive steps in the order of 1A, 1B and 1C. In this figure, reference numeral I designates an iron tower completely assembled as laid on pedestals 2 on the ground, and numeral 3 designates a horizontal pivotal shaft which couples the lower end portion of the iron tower 1 onto a foundation 4. The iron tower 1 has the proximity of the lower end portion to be coupled to the pivotal shaft 3 preliminarily reinforced with tie beams l or equivalent members. Reference numeral 5 designates a pair of movable beams provided on the ground 6 apart from the pivotal shaft 3 on the side of the top of the iron tower so as to oppose to the both sides of the iron tower 1, one end of each of said movable beams being pivotably mounted to a shaft 7 which is parallel to the pivotal shaft 3, the other ends thereof being kept free. Reference numeral 8 designates jack devices provided respectively on the pair of movable beams 5 so that they may move aiong the movable beams 5 in their lengthwise direction and may be fixedly coupled to the movable beams 5 at any arbitrary positions, and numeral 9 designates a shaft for pivotably coupling one operating ends of the respective jack devices 8 and the iron tower 1 along an axis which is parallel to the pivotal shaft 3.

FIGS. 2 to 4 show one example of the movable bean 5 and the jack device 8 in more detail, in which the movable beam 5 is channel-shaped in cross-section and a pair of movable beams 5 are pivotably mounted at their one ends to the shaft 7 with their opened sides opposed inwardly to each other. On the inner surfaces of two flanges of the movable beam 5 are provided racks 10 at predetermined intervals in the lengthwise direction in an opposed relationship, and along the side surface of the rack 10 is formed a guide channel 12 in the lengthwise direction of the beam by means of a pair of opposed strip members 11, 11.

The jack device 8 comprises a double-acting hydraulic cylinder 13 having a stroke corresponding to one or more pitches, for instance, two pitches of the rack 10, and piston type of clamps 14 and 15 integrally secured to the ends of the cylinder side 13a and the piston side 1317, respectively, and said jack device is associated with the movable beam so as to be movable only in the lengthwise direction of the movable beam by loosely fitting a spacer piece 16 fixedly secured to the cylinder 13 and the side portions of the clamps into said guide channel 12. In addition, the clamp means 14 and 15, respectively, are provided with a pair of pins l7, 17 which are hydrically driven to project from their opposite side surfaces fitting in the guide channels 12 symmetrically in the left and right directions so as to fit into the racks 10 and 'also to retract into the clamp means apart from the racks 10. The hydraulic cylinder 13 and the clamp means 14 and 15 are connected to a hydraulic pump, a motor and a control unit disposed in the neighborhood but not shown in the drawings through pipings and wirings not shown, so that the jack device 8 may alternately engage the clamp means 14 or 15 with the racks l and meanwhile the cylinder 13 is stretched and contracted to be operatively moved along the movable bean in the lengthwise direction, and also that the pair of left and right jack devices 8, 8 may be simultaneously controlled to be driven in parallel to each other. In this connection, as the jack device 8, in place of the aforementioned double-acting hydraulic cylinder, it is possible to use a screw jack comprising a screw rod on one side and a driving nut on the other side to be driven in engagement with said screw rod and provided with the clamp means 14 and 15 or equivalent engaging means at its respective ends, a gear jack comprising a rack rod on one side and a pinion on the other side to be driven in engagement with said rack rod and provided with the clamp means 14 and 15 or equivalent engaging means at its respective ends, or the like.

Thus at one operating end of the above-mentioned jack device 8, that is, in the illustrated embodiment, at the upper clamp means 14, an eyepiece l8 affixed to the upper end and another eyepiece 20 on a horizontal beam 19 affixed to an iron tower l are coupled to each other with a shaft 9 which is parallel to the pivotal shaft 3.

FIG. 1A represents the state where the jack device 8 has been moved to the position on the movable beam 5 nearest to the shaft 7 and fixed at the position, while one end of the jack device 8 has been coupled to the side of the iron tower with the shaft 9 as described above.

Then, in order to erect the iron tower l, at first the pins 17 of the lower clamp means 15 of the jack device 8 are made to project and engage with the beam 5 while the pins 17 of the upper clamp means 14 are disengaged from the racks 10, the hydraulic cylinder 13 is stretched to push up the iron tower 1 about the pivotal shaft 3, the upper clamp means 14 is fixed to the racks at a higher position by fitting, the lower clamp means 15 is disengaged from the racks 10 and then fixed to the racks at a higher position by fitting after contracting the cylinder 13. Next the upper clamp means 14 is disengaged from the racks l0, and said operations are repeated in the same order to erect the iron tower 1 by pushing (FIG. 1B). In accordance with the movement of the jack device along the movable beam 5, the beam 5 swings about the shaft 7, so that the weight of the iron tower 1 is supported by the axial force of the hydraulic cylinder 13 in the jack device 8, which is inturn supported on the ground by the axial force in the movable beam 5. When the center of gravity of the iron tower 1 which is being erected, has gone over a vertical plane passing through the pivotal shaft 3 on the foundation, the gravity acting to the iron tower 1 causes an opposite polarity of torque about the pivotal shaft 3, that is, a torque in the anti-clockwise direction is generated in the figure, so that the axial force acting on the jack device 8 and the movable beam 5 changes from a compression to a tension. However, owing to the resistive force and driving force against stretching of the double-acting hydraulic cylinder 13, it is possible to slowly erect the iron tower 1 on the foundation 4 without being accompanied with an impact (FIG. 1C).

The aforementioned combination structure of the movable beam 5 and the jack device'8 can take any arbitrarily modified configuration other than that illustrated in the figure, for instance, it may be modified in such manner that the pivotal shaft 7 for the movable beam 5 is provided on the side of the iron tower 1, while the shaft 9 which is parallel to said first pivotal shaft 7 is disposed on the ground side and one end of the jack device 8 is connected Now, FIGS. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the aforementioned movable beams 5 are pivotably mounted onto the ground (onto the foundation) apart from the pivotal shaft 3 on the opposite side to the iron tower 1 with a pivotal shaft 7' at an interval along an axis which is parallel to the pivotal shaft 3, and in which one ends of the jack devices Son the movable beams 5 are coupled to the other lower end portion of the iron tower 1 with a pivotal shaft 9' which is parallel to the pivotal shaft 3.

The jack device 8 is used as associated with the movable beam 5 in an opposite relationship to the first embodiment (FIG. 2) with respect to its-axial direction, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 5A shows the state where the jack device 8 has been moved to the position along the movable beam 5 nearest to its free end and fixed at that position and one end of the jack device 8 is coupled to the lower end portion of the iron tower l on the opposite side to the pivotal shaft 3 with the pivotal shaft 9'. The iron tower 1 can be erected as drawn about the pivotal shaft 3 by moving the jack device 8 along the movable beam 5 towards the end having the shaft 7' according to the same sequence of operations as the above-described first embodiment (FIG. 5B).

The iron tower l is erected as drawn by the axial force of the double-acting hydraulic cylinder 13 which is caused by the stretch of the cylinder, the movable beam 5 swinging about the pivotal shaft 7 in accordance with the movement of the jack device 8 along the movable beam 5, and the weight of the iron tower 1 is supported on the ground (on the foundation) by the tensional axial force in the movable beam 5 via the jack device 8.

When the center of gravity of the iron tower 1 which is being erected has gone over a vertical plane passing through the pivotal shaft 3, the weight of the iron tower 1 causes a torque in the anti-clockwise direction about the pivotal shaft 3 in the figure, and it is transmitted through the jack device as an axial tensional force and through the movable beam 5 as an axial compressive force. However, owing to the resistive force and driving force against stretching of the double-acting hydraulic cylinder 13, it is possible to slowly erect the iron tower I on the foundation without being accompanied with an impact in the jack device 8 as well as the movable beams (FIG.5C).

Furthermore, FIGS. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment of the present invention, in which a part of the lower structure of the iron tower 1 is preliminarily affixed onto the foundation 4 to form a support structure 21, one end of each of a pair of movable beams 5, 5 similar to those in the above-described first and second embodiments is pivotably mounted onto the side of the iron tower 1 apart from the pivotal shaft 3 at an interval along an axis which is parallel to the pivotal shaft 3 with a pivotal shaft 22, and one end of each of the jack devices 8, 8 on the movable beams 5, 5 is coupled to the proximity of the top of said support structure 21 with, a pivotal shaft 23 which is parallel to the pivotal shaft 3.

As shown in FIG. 8, the jack device 8 is used as associated with the movable beam 5 in the same relationship as said second embodiment. The method of coupling the lower end portion of the iron tower 1 onto the foundation 4 with .a horizontal pivotal shaft 3, is the same as that employed in said first and second embodiments. FIG. 7A shows the state where the jack device 8 has been moved to and affixed at the position on the movable beam 5 having one end pivotably mounted onto the side of the laid iron tower, nearest to the other end thereof, and one end of this jack device 8 is cou pled onto the support structure 21 with the pivotal shaft 23 which is parallel to the pivotal shaft 3. The iron tower 1 can be erected as drawn about the pivotal shaft 3 by moving the jack device 8 along the movable beam 5 towards the shaft 22 while diriving said jack device 8 according to the same sequence of operations as the above-described second embodiment (FIG. 78).

More particularly, the axial force caused by the stretch of the double-acting hydraulic cylinder 13 is transmitted through the movable beam 5 as a tensional axial force in the lengthwise direction to erect the iron tower I as drawing about the pivotal shaft 3, and the weight of the iron tower I that is being erected is supported by the support structure 21.

When the center of gravity of the iron tower being erected has gone over a vertical plane passing through the pivotal shaft 3, the weight of the iron tower 1 applies an axial tensional force to the jack device 8 and an axial compressive force to the movable beam 5. However, owing to the resistive force and driving force against stretching of the double-acting hydraulic cylinder 13, it is possible to slowly erect the iron tower l on the foundation without being accompanied with an impact (FIG. 7C).

In addition, FIGS. 9 and show a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which the movable beams 5 are at first pivotably mounted onto the ground at a position (A) near to the top of the iron tower 1 then laid, with one ends of the jack devices 8 on the movable beams 5 pivotably connected to a portion of the iron tower 1 near to its top (FIG. 9A). Then the iron tower I is pushed up by the amount equal to the length of the movable beams 5 by moving the jack devices 8 along the movable beams 5 towards their free ends according to the same sequence of operations as described above, and under this state a temporary strut 24 is coupled between the iron tower 1 and the ground port said iron tower 1 (FIG. 9C). Again the movable beams 5 and the jack devices 8 are displaced to a position (0) near to the pivotal shaft 3 and affixed at that position, the iron tower 1 is erected while pushing after the second temporary strut 25 has been removed (FIG. 9D), and eventually the iron tower l is erected vertically on the foundation 4 (FIG. 9E).

As shown in FIG. 10, the jack device 8 is associated with the movable beam 5 in the same relationship as in the first embodiment, so that the iron tower 1 is erected while being pushed up by the driving force of the hydraulic cylinder 13, and therefore, the erection is conducted while the weight of the iron tower 1 is supported by the compressive axial force transmitted through the movable beam 5.

When the center of gravity of the iron tower 1 which is being erected, has gone over a vertical plane passing through the pivotal shaft 3, the weight of the iron tower 1 becomes to be supported by a tensional axial force through the jack device 8 and the movable shaft 5. However, owing to the resistive force and driving force against stretching of the double acting hydraulic cylinder 13, it is possible to slowly erect the iron tower l on the foundation 4 without being accompanied with an impact.

Next, FIG. 11 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which, upon erecting the iron tower 11 while pushing up according to the methods described above with reference to the first to fourth embodiments another set of movable beams 5' and jack devices 8, is provided on the ground on the opposite side of the iron tower I to the pivotal shaft 3. The iron tower l is erected while being pushed up by the movable beams 5 and the jack devices 8 are disposed on the right side in the figure until the center of gravity of the iron tower 1 comes on a vertical plane passing through the pivotal shaft 3, thereafter the jack devices 8' disposed on the left side in the figure are coupled to the iron tower I, the jack devices 8 on the right side are disengaged from the iron tower 1, the iron tower I is successively erected by means of the movable beams 5 and the jack devices 8' on the left side, and eventually the iron tower l is erected vertically on the foundation 4. The movable beams and the jack devices may be provided separately on the respective side of the pivotal shaft 3. Alternatively, in place of providing the separate ones, it is also possible that under the erected state where the center of gravity of the iron tower 1 has come onto a vertical plane passing through the pivotal shaft 3, the iron tower l is once maintained at that state by means of temporary struts 26 and 27 as shown by broken lines in FIG. 11, and thereby the movable beams 5 and the jack devices 3 disposed on the right side are displaced so as to serve as the movable beams 5' and the jack devices 8' on the left side.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, the method according to this embodiment is also applicable to the case of the second and third embodiments as described above.

According to the method of this embodiment, in either of the steps before the center of gravity of the iron tower 1 has come onto a vertical plane passing through the pivotal shaft 3 and after it has gone over said vertical plane, the hydraulic cylinders 13 in the jack devices are used so as to support the iron tower l with their axial force in the stretching direction, and also in either of the above steps the moveable beams S are used under either one of the stressed conditions consisting of a compressed condition and a tensioned condition. Consequently, in this case, a single-acting hydraulic cylinder having a strong driving force only in its stretching direction can be employed as the cylinder in the jack device, and also the feature of not changing the direction of axial stress is useful for preventing damages at the coupling portions.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a sixth embodiment of the present invention, in which a wire rope 28 is stretched between the top end portion of an upper side post member In of the iron tower l and the bottom end portion thereof, one end of said wire rope being fixedly secured to the top end portion, and the other end of said wire rope is extended through a take-up socket 29 mounted at the bottom end of said post member la and led to a winch 30 as shown in FIG. 13. The wire rope 28 is taken up by said winch 30 to be stretched at a predetermined tension and a fastening liner 31 is fitted into said socket 29 to fasten the wire rope. Then the iron tower l is applied with a downward bending moment, and thereby a compressive prestress is introduced in the upper side post member la and members in its proximity, while a tensional prestress is introduced in the lower side post member 1b and members in its proximity.

Under such a condition, if said hydraulic jack devices 8 are moved towards the free ends of the movable beams similarly to the aforementioned embodiment, then the iron tower l and the movable beams 5 are gradually erected from the state shown by solid lines via the state shown by dash-dot lines to the state shown by dotted lines as illustrated in FIG. 128.

Then said iron tower 1 becomes supported in a cantilever configuration from the base point and the raising point, using the pivotal shaft 3 and the movable beams 5 as the fulcrum points, so that an upward bending moment is applied to the iron tower 1 due to its own gravity, and a tensional stress is generated in the upper side post la and the members in its proximity while a compressive stress is generated in the lower side post lb and the members in its proximity. However said respective stresses are offset by the above-described prestresses, and thereby the edge stress is extremely reduced and thus there is not risk of producing a bending distortion in the iron tower 1.

In this way, the iron tower 1 is turned to the position shown by dotted lines in FIG. 128, the engagement between the wire rope 28 and the top end portion of the post member 1a is released after the bottom end portion of the upper side post member 1a has been fixedly secured to the foundation 4, said fastening liner 31 is extracted from the socket 29, the wire rope 28 is withdrawn on the ground by means of the winch 3t), and the movable beams 5 are removed from the iron tower 1 while lowering the jack devices 8 along said movable beams 5, whereby said rope 28, movable beams 5 and jack devices 8 may be reused for the next works.

According to the above-mentioned method, the concentration of axial stress generated at the junctures between the post members and the beam members upon erection of the iron tower 1 as well as the buckling damage of the iron tower 1, may be preliminarily obviated, and also, since the angle 0 formed between the iron tower 1 and the ground surface during erection can be increased and thus the effective bending force component W cos 0 can be reduced, there is no need to apply additional reinforcement to the iron tower 1, whereby the output of the jack device can be saved. Furthermore, since the iron tower 1 is completely assembled as laid on the ground at the point where it is to be erected and this completely assembled iron tower is erected through simple operations, the cost and term of works can be extremely saved.

FIG. 14 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention, in which on the upper side post member la of the completely assembled iron tower 1 as laid on the ground is erected a temporary post 32 for directing the wire rope 28, and said rope 28 is stretched in a triangular form across the both ends of the upper side post member 1a via the top of said temporary post 32 to increase the bending moment applied to the iron tower 1, whereby the introduction of prestress to said member may be readily assured. In this figure, components parts equivalent to those in the preceding embodiments are given the same reference numerals.

FIG. 15 shows a eighth embodiment of the present invention, which facilitate the initial movement of the iron tower 1. In view of the fact that the bending force generated in said iron tower 1 during its initial movement is mainly a downward bending moment in contrast to the preceding embodiments and also there exists a locally distributing load condition, the wire rope 28 is stretched across the raising point and the base point along the lower side post member 1b (see FIG. 15A), and in accordance with the steps of erection of said iron tower 1, said movable beam 5 is successively displaced or newly disposed towards the base point and also the wire rope 28 is restretched across the top end and the bottom end of the upper side post member (M) for further erection (FIGS. 15B and 15C). In this figure, component parts equivalent to those in the preceding embodiments are given the same reference numerals.

In this connection, although the wire rope 28 is stretched outside of the post member of the iron tower l in its lengthwise direction in the respective embodiments described above, if desired, it may be disposed inside of the iron tower 1 in the space between the upper side and lower side post members la, lb, or alternatively is may be disposed across guide members, which are respectively mounted on the iron tower 1 at two points thereon separated in its lengthwise direction and directed substantially at a right angle to said lengthwise direction.

The method of works according to the present invention as described above with reference to its various embodiments may be applied, besides the illustrated erection of iron tower, to the erection of an iron tower type of stack having the stack connected inside the iron tower as illustrated in FIG. 16, a multi-leg type of stack having a plurality of stacks joined together as illustrated in FIG. 17, or else various tower-like structures such as an iron tower for electric transmission lines, an

antenna tower, a single stack, etc., and thus the invention is widely applicable either to a structure that is very tall in height or to such a low structure that it has been heretofore erected by means of ropes.

The tower-like structure erected according to the above-described method, has its lower end fixedly connected onto the foundation, and then the reinforcement tie beams are removed and the movable beamsas well as the jack devices are disengaged. These movable beams, jack devices and the like can be reused for erection of still another tower-like structure.

Now according to the present invention, firstly by employing jack devices for erection of tower-like structures, it becomes possible to easily erect even an extremely heavy tower-like structure, and secondly by disposing the jack devices so as to be movable in their lengthwise direction along the movable beams, it becomes possible to obtain a long stroke required for the erection of the tower-like structures by means of an appropriate length of movable beams without necessitating hydraulic cylinders having an especially long stroke.

In addition, since the tower-like structure is supported on the ground or on a support structure with the jack devices and the movable beams coupled to one point along its axis upon its erection, the support of the tower-like structure which is being erected, is always stable, and the unstability as is the case with erection while drawing by ropes does not exist, so that the operations for erection can be carried out in a very reliable manner.

Still further,- since the tower-like structure is driven for erection while directly coupled to the jack devices, the movement is not accompanied with an impact, and the structure can be erected safely, very smoothly and efficiently.

Accordingly, erection of an extremely tall and heavy tower-like structure becomes possible. Furthermore, through the steps of assembling a tower-like structure as laid on the ground by the ground works and thereafter erecting the same, one may construct such kind of tower-like structures very safely in a short period of time without requiring construction at a location forabove ground level at all.

While the present invention has been described above in connection to its preferred embodiments, the present invention is, of course, not limited to such embodiments only, but various changes in design could be made within the scope not departing from the spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. A method for erecting an elongated structure such as a substantial portion of a tower, comprising:

a. assembling the structure on one of its sides;

b. pivotally connecting a lower edge of the base of the structure with respect to a foundation upon which the structure is to become supported when raised upright, so that the structure maybe pivoted to an upright condition about the axis of this pivotal connection;

. providing a horizontal pivot in the foundation parallel to the aforementioned pivotal connection and securing one end of rigid beam means thereto for pivotal movement about the pivot;

d. gripping a first fixed point on the beam means displaced from said one end thereof, gripping a point on the structure displaced from said lower edge thereof and exerting force longitudinally of the beam means between the gripped points in a sense to erect the structure toward an upright condition;

and

. temporarily securing the structure with respect to the beam means, releasing the gripping of the first fixed point and gripping a second fixed point displaced longitudinally along the beam means from the first fixed point, terminating said temporary securing and exerting force longitudinally of the beam means in a sense to further erect the structure toward an upright condition.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

f. repeating step (e) with respect to succeeding fixed points until the structure is upright.

3. The method of claim 1, including locating said point on the structure adjacent the lower side of the structure as assembled, toward what will become the top of the upright structure, distally of the base thereof.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein each successive fixed point is located further from said one end of the beam means and said force is exerted in a sense to push the point on the structure away from the respective fixed point toward the opposite end of the beam means.

5. The method of claim 1 including locating said point on the structure adjacent the upper edge of the base of the structure as assembled.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein each successive fixed point is located closer to said one end of the beam means and said force is exerted in a sense to push the respective point on the structure away from the respective fixed point, toward said one end of the beam means.

7. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

. g. repeating step (c) with respect to succeeding fixed points until adjacent the opposite end of the beam means;

h. placing temporary support means under the partially erected structure to maintain the partially erected condition thereof;

i. displacing the gripping point on the structure of step (d) and the'horizontal pivot of step (c) closer to said lower edge of the base and the disposition of the particular fixed point on the beam means of step (d) down toward said one end of the beam means to coincide with the height of the partially erected structure where the beam means is being relocated by this step (i);

j. removing the temporary support means placed in step (h); and

. repeating steps (d) and (e) with the relocated beam means to further erect the structure toward an upright condition.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising applying force to the upper side of the structure being erected by the conducting of steps (d) and (e) in a sense to assist the erection and to prevent over-center movement of the structure upon achieving completion of the erection.

9. A method for erecting an elongated structure, such as a substantial portion of a tower, comprising:

. assembling the structure on one of its sides so as to have an oblique base with an apex line extending along the lower edge thereof;

. providing a complementarily obliquely-toppedplatform upon a foundation upon which the structure is to become supported when raised upright;

. pivoting the lower edge of the structure to the lower edge of the top of the platform along a horizontal pivot axis, so that the structure may be pivoted to an upright condition with the oblique base resting upon the top of the platform;

. providing a horizontal pivot on the upper edge of the base of the assembled structure parallel to said pivot axis and securing one end of rigid beam means thereto for pivotal movement about the pivot;

. gripping a first fixed point on the beam means displaced from said one end thereof, gripping a point on the upper edge of the top of the platform and exerting force longitudinally of the beam means in a sense to erect the structure to an upright condition; and

f. temporarily securing the structure with respect to g. repeating step (f) with respect to succeeding fixed points until the structure is upright upon the platform upon the foundation, each successive fixed point being located further toward said one end of the beam means and said force being exerted in a sense to push the respective fixed point on the beam means away from the fixed point on said point on the upper edge of the top of the platform. 

1. A method for erecting an elongated structure such as a substantial portion of a tower, comprising: a. assembling the structure on one of its sides; b. pivotally connecting a lower edge of the base of the structure with respect to a foundation upon which the structure is to become supported when raised upright, so that the structure may be pivoted to an upright condition about the axis of this pivotal connection; c. providing a horizontal pivot in the foundation parallel to the aforementioned pivotal connection and securing one end of rigid beam means thereto for pivotal movement about the pivot; d. gripping a first fixed point on the beam means displaced from said one end thereof, gripping a point on the structure displaced from said lower edge thereof and exerting force longitudinally of the beam means between the gripped points in a sense to erect the structure toward an upright condition; and e. temporarily securing the structure with respect to the beam means, releasing the gripping of the first fixed point and gripping a second fixed point displaced longitudinally along the beam means from the first fixed point, terminating said temporary securing and exerting force longitudinally of the beam means in a sense to further erect the structure toward an upright condition.
 1. A method for erecting an elongated structure such as a substantial portion of a tower, comprising: a. assembling the structure on one of its sides; b. pivotally connecting a lower edge of the base of the structure with respect to a foundation upon which the structure is to become supported when raised upright, so that the structure may be pivoted to an upright condition about the axis of this pivotal connection; c. providing a horizontal pivot in the foundation parallel to the aforementioned pivotal connection and securing one end of rigid beam means thereto for pivotal movement about the pivot; d. gripping a first fixed point on the beam means displaced from said one end thereof, gripping a point on the structure displaced from said lower edge thereof and exerting force longitudinally of the beam means between the gripped points in a sense to erect the structure toward an upright condition; and e. temporarily securing the structure with respect to the beam means, releasing the gripping of the first fixed point and gripping a second fixed point displaced longitudinally along the beam means from the first fixed point, terminating said temporary securing and exerting force longitudinally of the beam means in a sense to further erect the structure toward an upright condition.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: f. repeating step (e) with respect to succeeding fixed points until the structure is upright.
 3. The method of claim 1, including locating said point on the structure adjacent the lower side of the structure as assembled, toward what will become the top of the upright structure, distally of the base thereof.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein each successive fixed point is located further from said one end of the beam means and said force is exerted in a sense to push the point on the structure away from the respective fixed point toward the opposite end of the beam means.
 5. The method of claim 1 including locating said point on the structure adjacent the upper edge of the base of the structure as assembled.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein each successive fixed point is located closer to said one end of the beam means and said force is exerted in a sense to push the respective point on the structure away from the respective fiXed point, toward said one end of the beam means.
 7. The method of claim 4 further comprising: g. repeating step (e) with respect to succeeding fixed points until adjacent the opposite end of the beam means; h. placing temporary support means under the partially erected structure to maintain the partially erected condition thereof; i. displacing the gripping point on the structure of step (d) and the horizontal pivot of step (c) closer to said lower edge of the base and the disposition of the particular fixed point on the beam means of step (d) down toward said one end of the beam means to coincide with the height of the partially erected structure where the beam means is being relocated by this step (i); j. removing the temporary support means placed in step (h); and k. repeating steps (d) and (e) with the relocated beam means to further erect the structure toward an upright condition.
 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising applying force to the upper side of the structure being erected by the conducting of steps (d) and (e) in a sense to assist the erection and to prevent over-center movement of the structure upon achieving completion of the erection.
 9. A method for erecting an elongated structure, such as a substantial portion of a tower, comprising: a. assembling the structure on one of its sides so as to have an oblique base with an apex line extending along the lower edge thereof; b. providing a complementarily obliquely-topped platform upon a foundation upon which the structure is to become supported when raised upright; c. pivoting the lower edge of the structure to the lower edge of the top of the platform along a horizontal pivot axis, so that the structure may be pivoted to an upright condition with the oblique base resting upon the top of the platform; d. providing a horizontal pivot on the upper edge of the base of the assembled structure parallel to said pivot axis and securing one end of rigid beam means thereto for pivotal movement about the pivot; e. gripping a first fixed point on the beam means displaced from said one end thereof, gripping a point on the upper edge of the top of the platform and exerting force longitudinally of the beam means in a sense to erect the structure to an upright condition; and f. temporarily securing the structure with respect to the beam means, releasing the gripping of the first fixed point and gripping a second fixed point displaced longitudinally along the beam means from the first fixed pivot, terminating said temporary securing and exerting force longitudinally of the beam means in a sense to further erect the structure toward an upright condition. 